With speculation growing about a possible early entry into the NFL draft, the third-year sophomore for the sixth-ranked Nittany Lions vowed Tuesday his sole focus was on getting ready for No. 5 Southern California in Pasadena.

"The team has worked very hard to get to the point where we are at right now, and to be in the position to play such a great game," said Maybin, an All-American defensive end. "I'll be doing my teammates a disservice if I brought the attention to myself."

The spotlight has trailed Maybin following a breakout season, his 12 sacks the third-best in the FBS headed into bowl season. Maybin has seen his draft stock skyrocket and there's talk he could be a first-round pick.

He submitted his name to an NFL advisory panel to assess his draft potential, but Maybin said he didn't want to talk to the panel while in California.

When asked if his current plans included returning to Penn State next season, Maybin remained vague.

"I'm not thinking about next year at this point. Right now, everything I'm focused on has to do with the Rose Bowl and making sure we go out on a big note this year."

The 6-foot-4 Maybin has become a force around the edge with his speed and athleticism in spite of his 235-pound frame. His coaches have said they would like Maybin to get heavier should he return next year.

Maybin is back on the first-team defense after briefly getting booted to second string over the weekend for a minor team rule violation.

"I had missed a meeting. It was just Joe's way of making sure everybody stayed on top of things," Maybin said. "But everything is back to normal now."

Linebacker and team captain Sean Lee, who sat out this season because of a knee injury, is a bit envious of his teammates.

They get to play in the Rose Bowl, while Lee can only watch from the sideline.

Lee got a little jealous when a highlight reel of the 2008 season was played during a bowl-sponsored team dinner at a steakhouse. The senior feels a connection with guys in his class who will be playing their last game, like fellow captains Derrick Williams and Anthony Scirrotto.

"I wanted to be on the field. At the same time, these are the kids I came in with and they've worked extremely hard," Lee said Tuesday. "To see all their hard work pay off has really been rewarding."

Lee has served as a volunteer coach and mentor this season, his intense attitude still evident as he paced the sideline. Lee plans to return in 2009.

"I keep telling him, I'd rather have him in front of me than beside me," defensive coordinator Tom Bradley said earlier this week.

If starting quarterback Daryll Clark goes down in the Rose Bowl, backup Paul Cianciolo will have to step up.

Former second-stringer Pat Devlin's decision to transfer several weeks ago left a gaping hole on the quarterback depth chart. Cianciolo and, perhaps, receiver and emergency quarterback Derrick Williams, will have to fill the void.

"There might be a tweak here or there, but for the most part, the game plan for Daryll is the same game plan we have set for me," Cianciolo said.

Cianciolo has played in just three games this season, seeing the field only when the score was out of hand. He was 6-of-9 passing for 86 yards and a touchdown.

A positive with Cianciolo is that he's been in the system for five years. He got a full vote of confidence from offensive coordinator Galen Hall earlier this week.

The Big Ten is 0-2 so far this bowl season, with Wisconsin getting blown out by Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl and Northwestern losing to Missouri in overtime in the Alamo Bowl.

It doesn't exactly help conference supporters railing against criticism that the Big Ten might be overrated because of its teams' performance in recent bowl games. Ohio State's losses in the previous two BCS championship games fueled the negative talk.

For their part, Penn State has come through the previous three seasons with three straight bowl victories, including the Orange Bowl in 2005.

"Whether you have to carry the whole conference on your back, I haven't thought of it that way," coach Joe Paterno said. "I think it's Penn State playing against Southern California. It's a real challenge for us regardless of whether we are a Big Ten school or not."